The Importance Of Universal Design For Learning

Each student that enters into the classroom bringing their own sets of strengths, backgrounds, needs, and interest, so why should they all be expected to learn the same way? Universal Design for Learning moves away from the idea that all students learn the same and provides teachers with a framework for incorporating materials, techniques, strategies for delivering instruction. While also allowing their students to demonstrate what they know in numerous ways. UDL addresses the needs of students both with and without disabilities rather than meeting the needs of just the “average” student. The Universal Design for Learning can be broken down into three principles that teachers can look to as a guide when lesson planning. The first principle, Representation, explains that present material to students in multiple ways so that all students have equal opportunity to learn the material. An example of this could be …show more content…
The website gave the example of a teacher asking students to read a textbook chapter about ancient Egypt, This becomes an issue for students with visual impairments and certain physical disabilities. This is why it is important that teachers take the time to get to know their students strengths and weaknesses so that they can plan on how to address such barriers. Instead of only giving students the option of reading the textbook to learn the material, a teacher practicing UDL would allow the students to also use audiobooks, digital text, internet, or video to learn the material. Instead of using materials that cannot be manipulated, UDL encourages teachers to use materials that are flexible and allow them to present concepts in a variety of ways, doing so allows the teacher to meet the needs of a diverse group of